Diet-friendly drinks to order at the bar

It's almost the weekend, which can mean only one thing – time to raise a glass with your favourite tipple! But when you're trying to cut down on the calories, sipping on your favourite drink won't do your waistline any favours. With some glasses of wine and spirits equating to nearly 300 calories – that's the equivalent of a cheeseburger – a few glasses on a Friday night can push your diet into disarray.

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Cutting out the booze is your best bet when you're trying to lose some weight. But for those (like us) who have zero willpower when it comes to weekend cocktail hour, these are the best low-calorie alternatives to order, that won't derail your diet plan. You are welcome.

Wine

Some wines can contain up to almost 300 calories per large glass so if you can, order small glasses instead, which will significantly lower your calorie intake. Alternatively, if you're dining at home, opt for a low-calorie wine – here are our favourites.

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Bubbles

A glass of fizz is slightly lower in calories than wine. Usually around 80 calories per glass. What better reason to bring out the bubbly?

Beer

Surprisingly, half a pint of beer contains just 82 calories, but if you fancy a whole pint, perhaps order a light option instead.

Gin

Containing just 97 calories, this British classic is perfect if you're calorie counting. Most clear spirits are a good option as they contain less sugar than their darker counterparts like dark rum and whiskey.

Vodka

A vodka with soda and lime will clock up just 76 calories. Or for the more discerning spirit drinker, simply add a dash of Tabasco and a few olives – cutting out mixers will reduce your calorie intake. A Bloody Mary is also a good choice – tomato juice won't rack up any extra calories!

Tequila

Tequila is made using agave, which means it's naturally sweet, so a dash of soda and lime will make this Mexican tangy tipple a refreshing option that's also low in calories. Tequila usually contains around 64-69 calories per 25ml shot.

Mojito

A refreshing mojito is packed with mint, lime and soda, and although it's made using sugar syrup, this only equates to about 40 additional calories. A shot of rum is only 100 calories. So for a cocktail, the total 140 calories won't make too much of a difference to your diet plan.

Cosmopolitan

Of course Carrie Bradshaw's favourite cocktail had to be one that's light on the calories. A traditionally made version should only equate to about 99 calories.

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